2011 GCFP 81st Annual Convention

'The Best Antiques are Old Friends'

Skytop Lodge, Poconos

April 10-12, 2011

Come join other clubs and members at the convention in the beautiful Poconos.  Check the Keystone Gardener, Winter 2010-11 issue for all the information on programs and workshops.  Information is also available on the GCFP website, www.pagardenclubs.org.

Native Garden in Media

Clubs looking for a local trip to a native garden will be rewarded when they stop by Martina Martin's garden in Media, PA.  She welcomes clubs to view her beautiful and sustainable landscape.  She can be contacted by e-mailing martinam4@verizon.net.  Villanova Garden Club had a field trip to her yard and highly recommend it.

Mt. Cuba February Programs

 "Rain mixed with sleet - low 30s in morning."
A weather forecast from this week? No, an entry from the journal of a Mt. Cuba Center gardener, made on Monday, April 3, 1978. Through the careful documentation of the gardens' progress, we can look back and see just what was happening during a certain day, week or season. If you'd like to document the progress of your favorite plantings, join plant recorder Amy Highland on Saturday, February 19 (1-3PM) for the Garden Journaling Workshop. Bring your own journal and Amy will help you get started on filling it with many years of gardening memories. The class is $20 and includes lunch.
Other classes at Mt. Cuba Center during February include Shake Up Your Foundation, (Wednesday, February 9, 1- 2:30PM, $25), taught by Renee Kemmerer, our Dogwood Path horticulturist. Renee was recently featured in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on attractive alternatives to tried-and-true foundation plantings. Join her in imagining a new look for your yard and learning how how to get it.
Finally, "the richest soil amendment known to gardening." Those are the words of Mark Highland, vermi-composting expert, and he's talking about...worms. Learn more in Worm Composting Made Easy on Wednesday, February 16 (5:30-7:30PM, $50). You'll take home a bin, complete with hard-working creatures and "the real poop on worms and their castings."
Even in the coldest winter, there are things going on in the garden. For more information and to register for classes, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244. As always, I look forward to sharing the (frozen) beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you.
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Head Start students learn the importance of giving

Kennett Square, PA – Students at the Kennett Square Head Start Center have been anxiously awaiting Santa. However, on the Monday before his arrival, they shifted their attention to another important part of the holiday season with the help of the Spade and Trowel Club of Kennett Square.

Members visited the Head Start Center on Monday to spread holiday cheer and help students create their holiday centerpieces for their families.

“Our main goal was to help children learn the importance of the gift of giving,” said Ginny Schofield of the garden club. “The excited looks on the children’s faces as they put the centerpieces together were priceless. Who knows, maybe this will trigger an interest in gardening for some of them as well.”

According to Cindy Schofield, Child Development Specialist and Family Service Worker for Head Start and Ginny Schofield’s daughter-in-law, the club donated all of the supplies used for the holiday activity in four Head Start classrooms.

“This is a great opportunity for students to work with others in the community and to engage in a hands-on activity with natural materials,” said Cindy Schofield. “The students get to enjoy the process of creating their own centerpieces and then experience the joy of sharing it with their families.”

Head Start is a federally- and community-funded program that provides economically disadvantaged children the opportunity to begin school with the same experiences and learned skills as other children. The Chester County Head Start program provides comprehensive services to children aged three- to five-years old and their families. Services include: preschool, special education, mental health services, medical treatment, nutritional services, parenting education, and more.

The Chester County Head Start program is operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit. For more information on the Head Start program, please click here.

Pictured Above: Students at the Kennett Square Head Start Center have been anxiously awaiting Santa. However, on the Monday before his arrival, students shifted their attention to another important part of the holiday season with the help of the Spade and Trowel Garden Club of Kennett Square. Pictured (standing from left to right) is: Ginny Schofield, Laurie Taylor, Randy Schofield, Denise Klein, and Marge Riley – members of the garden club; Adrienne Harris, Child Development Specialist, and Lucia Castro, Child Development Assistant for Head Start; and students in one of the center’s four Head Start classrooms displaying their holiday centerpieces.

January at Mt. Cuba

While your garden is resting this month, you can be planning ahead. Mt. Cuba Center offers classes that will help you prepare for the warmer months to come. On January 12, Mark Highland, the "Organic Mechanic," shares his expertise in Backyard Composting, (5:30-7:30pm, $20). You've heard about it, you know you should do it, so come and learn how simple it is to make black gold from your garbage. If feathered folk interest you, hear Don Freiday talk about Owls and How to Find Them, (January 26, 6:30-8:30pm, $20). After an indoor presentation, you'll take a walk outside so dress for the weather. Finally, Enhance your Winter Landscape (January 29, 1-3pm, $25) by observing interesting characteristics in the garden that can only be seen at this time of year. We welcome Vincent Simeone, Director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park on Long Island, New York for a presentation, a dessert reception and book signing.


Here at Mt. Cuba Center, we're also preparing for spring and summer 2011 with an exciting schedule of classes, programs and events. Most exciting? Your pathway to native plants - our distance learning program that's just a couple of months from being launched. Through this online link, you'll be able to enjoy garden classes at your leisure. Buy, download, then watch when it's convenient. You'll hear more about it as the spring wildflowers bloom.
As always, visit http://www.mtcubacenter.org/, or call 302-239-4244 to register for classes. I hope to see you soon.
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Check the Hardy Plant Website for Upcoming Events

The Hardy Plant Society website is

www.hardyplant.org

Many 2011 events of horticultural interest!

New Goosebump Plants for 2011

Join Chris Hansen for a fast-paced look at the most exciting new shrubs, perennials and groundcovers for 2011.

Sunday, January 23, 2011, 2:00 p.m.

Scott Arboretum, Science Auditorium

Swarthmore College

Free and open to the public. Reception follows the lecture.

Chris guarantees you'll experience a variety of 'thrills and chills' as you enjoy a sneak preview of over 100 tantalizing new plants for 2011. This fast-paced lecture will have you on the edge of your seat with Chris' spectacular photography of the newest plants to hit garden centers near you.